Editorial: Deerfield slows down search

Brief thoughts on some of the events making news from around Franklin County and the North Quabbin area:

We suppose that it was wise of the Deerfield Board of Selectmen to suspend its search for a new town administrator, since there still appears to be disagreement amongst the board members about the position. We can appreciate, too, the board asking the interim town administrator to provide them with an analysis of what the town needs and how the existing office could be possibly reorganized. But we think selectmen have a question that still needs answering: Can they agree on a definition of what the job entails and the need for the post in Deerfield? No matter what the “gap survey” says, that may be the hardest part of this entire process.

Hesitation by Rowe understandable

Clearly, there are conflicted feelings and opinions when it comes to the decision earlier this year for Rowe School District to move into a shared superintendency with the North Berkshire School Union. That was obvious during the recent meeting of the school board and the continued questioning by one board member whether this was the right move. We agree with Susan Zavotka, elected to the committee this spring, who said, “The decision was made and I feel that the contract needs to be honored.” That doesn’t mean that next year Rowe shouldn’t evaluate the situation and see that it is a good fit.

Strawberry season getting underway

The strawberries are here, the strawberries are he re! We are glad to see local strawberries are beginning to make the produce scene. It’s one of the real treats of the beginning of summer and a season that seems to fly by all too quickly. So we suggest that people make sure to head to your favorite farm stand or pick-your-own patch and make sure you don’t miss out. It’s shortcake time!

GHS athlete vaults the competition

A tip of the hat to Vlad Popusoi, a pole vaulter with the Greenfield High School track and field team, who just defended his second consecutive all-state title. With a vault of 15 feet, 6 inches, the newly minted high school grad not only became an All-State champion for 2014, but put himself in the state record book with the second highest height for high school pole vaulters in the state. On Saturday, he cleared 14 feet, 9 inches to take third place at the New England meet.